FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Isaiah 9:1-7 A Son is given to us.

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1 MASS READINGS SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD MASS DURING THE NIGHT FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Isaiah 9:1-7 A Son is given to us. The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils. For the yoke that was weighing on him, the barb across his shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian. For all the footgear of battle, every cloak rolled in blood, is burnt, and consumed by fire. For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace. Wide is his dominion in a peace that has no end, for the throne of David and for his royal power, which he establishes and makes secure in justice and integrity. From this time onwards and for ever, the jealous love of the Lord of Hosts will do this. Responsorial Psalm Ps 95: R/ Lk 2:11 R/ Today a Saviour has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord. 1. O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name. R/

2 2. Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. R/ 3. Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. R/ 4. With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth. R/ SECOND READING A reading from the letter of St. Paul to Titus 2:11-14 God s grace has been revealed to the whole human race. God s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good. Gospel Acclamation Lk 2:10-11 Alleluia, Alleluia! I bring you news of great joy: today a saviour has been born to us, Christ the Lord. Alleluia! GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 2:1-14 Today a saviour has been born to you. Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census the first took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David s House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her have her child, and she birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn. In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and

3 the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour. The Gospel of the Lord. MASS AT DAWN FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Isaiah 62:11-12 Look, your saviour comes. This the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, Look, your saviour comes, the prize of his victory with him, his trophies before him. They shall be called The Holy People, the Lord s Redeemed. And you shall be called The-sought-after, City-not-forsaken. Responsorial Psalm Ps 96: R/ This day new light will shine upon the earth: the Lord is born for us. 1. The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. R/ 2. Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice, you just, in the name of the Lord; give glory to his holy name. R/

4 SECOND READING A reading from the letter of St. Paul to Titus 3:4-7 It was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us. When the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life. Gospel Acclamation Lk 2:14 Alleluia, Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour. Alleluia! GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 2:15-20 The shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the baby. Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us. So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told. The Gospel of the Lord. MASS DURING THE DAY FIRST READING A reading from the prophet Isaiah 52:7-10 All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, Your God is king! Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout for joy together, for they see the Lord face to face,

5 as he returns to Zion. Break into shouts of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord is consoling his people, redeeming Jerusalem. The Lord bares his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Responsorial Psalm Ps 97:1-6. R/ v.3 R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation. R/ 2. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. R/ 3. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy. R/ 4. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord. R/ SECOND READING A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 1:1-6 God has spoken to us through his Son. At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made everything there is. He is the radiant light of God s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Majesty. So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has inherited is higher than their own name.

6 God has never said to any angel: You are my Son, today I have become your father, or: I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Again, when he brings the First-born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia! A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth. Alleluia! GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 1:1-18 The Word was made flesh, and lived among us. In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man

7 but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John appears as his witness. He proclaims: This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me. Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father s heart, who has made him known. The Gospel of the Lord.